The M23 rebel group, backed by Rwanda, has taken control of the strategic city of Uvira in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to a statement by the group’s spokesperson, Lawrence Kanyuka. Kanyuka announced the capture on social media and urged residents who had fled to return to their homes. Uvira, located on the border with Burundi, represents a significant gain for the rebels, who previously seized the provincial capital, Bukavu, in February. Residents described a chaotic night, with Congolese army troops retreating and gunfire echoing throughout the city.
The assault comes despite a U.S.-mediated peace agreement signed last week in Washington by the Congolese and Rwandan presidents. The deal, hailed as “historic” by President Donald Trump, obliges Rwanda to halt support for armed groups and work to end hostilities. However, the agreement does not include the M23 rebels, who are negotiating separately with the DRC. Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi has accused Rwanda of violating the ceasefire, saying the breach occurred within 24 hours of the pact’s signing. In a parliamentary address on Monday, Tshisekedi reiterated these accusations.
The United Nations reports that more than 200,000 people have been displaced across South Kivu since December 2, with over 70 deaths. The capture of Uvira underscores the ongoing violence and instability in eastern DRC, a region rich in natural resources and contested by M23 rebels and the Congolese government. Although the international community has been working to broker peace, recent developments suggest that a lasting resolution remains elusive. The humanitarian situation is dire, with thousands displaced and in need of assistance, and the conflict threatens to destabilize the broader region. The U.S.-mediated agreement, while a significant step, has yet to produce tangible results, leaving the prospect of enduring peace uncertain.
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